“How long can a dog go without pooping?” If you’re googling this, chances are good that you are worried about your dog’s bowel movements—or lack thereof. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby answers this question to help you know when to give it a bit more time and when to call your veterinarian.
Have you ever looked at your dog and realized that you haven’t seen him or her poop in awhile? Maybe he or she is usually a reliable twice-a-day pooper. And now you’re thinking that you haven’t seen him or her go since yesterday afternoon! What’s going on?
This is a common question asked at veterinary hospitals. Changes in the frequency of a dog’s bowel movements can sometimes indicate a problem. However, there are also plenty of reasons that dogs may skip a poop or two without it being a big deal.
How long can a dog go without pooping?
In most cases, healthy dogs without any underlying health conditions can go 48 hours without pooping (and sometimes longer) without any cause for serious concern. There’s no hard and fast rule, but many veterinarians will recommend an exam if your dog goes more than 48 to 72 hours without pooping. That way the vet can ensure there isn’t a medical condition that is keeping your dog from defecating normally.
How often do most dogs poop in a day?
In order to know whether your dog’s routine is normal, it may help to know that most dogs will poop between one and three times daily. However, there’s actually a wide range of “normal” values for this behavior. And a lot of factors contribute to how often a dog may defecate. You will want to consider the following factors when deciding if your dog’s bathroom habits are abnormal:
Eating and exercising
If you noticed that your dog usually poops after he or she eats, you’re not alone! Dogs most often have a bowel movement after eating a meal or exercising (such as going for a walk or run).
If your dog eats twice a day, it’s likely that he or she will also poop two times a day. Whereas if you only feed your dog once a day, he or she may just poop once. This means that changing your dog’s food or changing the feeding frequency can lead to changes in pooping frequency. Also, if your dog doesn’t eat much for a few days, he or she may not poop as often either.
Along the same lines, some dogs may poop on every walk (or multiple times on a walk). But other dogs will only poop on walks intermittently. It is good to know what is normal for your dog so that you can spot any changes in bowel habits.
Recent surgery
It is common for dog parents to be concerned that their dog is constipated after surgery. However, less frequent bowel movements can be normal for a few days post-op.
Some of the medications the vet uses for anesthesia or pain management can slow or delay the passage of fecal matter through the GI tract. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for dogs to sometimes go two days without pooping.
Also, dogs are often a little sleepier than usual for a few days following surgery. This is good, since it allows their body time to rest and begin healing. But since physical activity is one of the stimuli for pooping, it can contribute to a delay in returning to the normal elimination schedule.
Diarrhea
It is also common for dog parents to be especially clued into their dog’s bowel habits after their dog has diarrhea. Understandably, the dog parents may be dreading the next poop explosion. But then it doesn’t come, and they begin to wonder if their dog has gone too long without pooping.
The good news is that if your dog is recovering from parvo in dogs, pancreatitis in dogs, or other causes of diarrhea, you don’t need to be alarmed if your dog goes a few days without pooping.
The reason for this is that dogs with diarrhea will defecate more frequently. And they will have a larger fecal volume than normal. This can have the effect of emptying out the gastrointestinal tract. Once the diarrhea resolves, it typically takes several days for food to make its way through the 15 feet of intestines that lead from the stomach to the rectum.
When should you be worried your dog is actually constipated?
We just finished establishing that there are some normal or expected variations in pooping behavior. However, sometimes when a dog hasn’t pooped for a few days it can be a sign of a medical problem. Although it’s less common than diarrhea, dogs can also suffer from the opposite problem—constipation.
Symptoms of constipation in dogs
In addition to your dog going too long without pooping, you may also notice other signs of constipation such as:
- Passing small amounts of dry, hard feces
- Straining to defecate or difficulty passing stool
- Vocalizing (whining or crying) when trying to defecate or other signs your dog is in pain
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Acting like a lethargic dog
If you notice these signs, it is best to make an appointment with your veterinarian. During the visit, the vet will use your dog’s medical history and physical exam findings to determine if your dog is actually constipated.
Constipation vs diarrhea
That may sound strange because it seems like knowing if your dog is constipated would be pretty straightforward. However, dog parents can easily mistake diarrhea for constipation in dogs. They see their dog frequently squatting and trying to poop, but nothing is coming out. It’s logical then to assume that the dog is constipated.
However, in many cases this straining (called tenesmus) is actually due to the inflamed or irritated intestines that go along with diarrhea. The dog may feel like he or she needs to pass additional stool even when the intestines are completely empty. As a result, he or she keeps posturing to defecate.
If the vet agrees that your dog is having some poop problems (diarrhea or constipation), he or she may recommend some diagnostics to get to the bottom of the issue.
Why do some dogs go too long without pooping?
Some of the more common causes of constipation that your vet might be looking for include:
- Dehydration
- An enlarged prostate
- Kidney failure in dogs
- A mass in the colon or rectum
- Foreign material (rocks, fabric, bones, etc.) that is causing a GI obstruction
- Endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism in dogs
- Low fiber content of the diet (which is a very common and easy-to-fix problem)
Diagnosis of constipation in dogs
To help rule out or rule in the various causes of constipation and assess the stool in general, the vet may perform the following tests:
- Digital rectal exam to assess stool consistency and feel for an enlarged prostate, masses, anal furunculosis in dogs, or other anatomic abnormalities that may cause narrowing the colon or rectum.
- X-rays to look for signs of an obstruction or blockage in the intestines, or to evaluate the severity of the constipation.
- Bloodwork to help rule out kidney and endocrine diseases.
- A fecal test for dogs to look for parasites or abnormal bacteria that may be causing stool changes.
Treatment for constipation in dogs
If it turns out that your dog is indeed struggling with constipation, there are several possible remedies your veterinarian may suggest. In cases of more serious constipation, the vet may hospitalize your dog for IV fluids and repeated enemas, laxatives, or stool softeners to soften dry stool and allow your dog to pass it.
In most cases though, dogs respond well to adding additional fluid and fiber to their diet. Plain canned pumpkin for dogs (not pumpkin pie filling) or plain Metamucil are good fiber sources. You can add them to your dog’s food as an easy home remedy to treat constipation. (Safety note: always double check that the product you choose does not contain the common artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs).
When adding fiber to the diet, it’s very important to also increase the amount of water your dog drinks. Fiber works by drawing extra fluid into the stool to soften it. This means that if enough water isn’t available, increased fiber can actually make constipation worse.
In addition to relieving the constipation itself, the vet will also want to address the underlying reason for the constipation (if one is present). Otherwise, it is more likely that constipation will continue to reoccur. The vet will also likely discuss some preventive measure to help keep your dog’s bowels regular.
Preventing constipation
Since every dog is a bit different, you should work with your vet to develop a constipation prevention plan that works for your pup. This may involve strategies like:
- Adding small amounts of plain pumpkin puree or plain bran cereal to your dog’s food. This additional fiber can bulk up the stool and make it easier to pass.
- Administering probiotic supplements, which are helpful for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome in many dogs.
- Ensuring your dog gets a healthy amount of exercise in the form of daily walks—even a very small dog can benefit from going on a walk.
- Giving your dog access to plenty of fresh drinking water.
- Using prescription options such as gastrointestinal support dog food and medications, which are helpful in cases of more chronic or severe constipation.
Watch for anal gland issues after constipation
I want to leave you with one more word of advice about constipation. Some dogs, after having a change in the frequency or consistency of their poop, will develop uncomfortably full anal glands. These glands are located just inside the rectum and contain a yellowish-brown fishy smelling liquid. Normally the act of defecation squeezes a bit of that liquid out each time. But this may not happen if your dog isn’t pooping regularly.
If your dog has full anal glands, you may notice your dog licking the base of the tail or scooting across carpet or grass to relieve the itching. You may also be wondering why your dog smells like fish. Left untreated, overly full anal glands can become impacted, inflamed or infected. This can be quite painful for your dog. If you are seeing any signs of anal gland issues, please contact your veterinarian.
Work with your veterinarian
It is a good idea to develop a baseline of what is “normal” for your dog’s bathroom habits. That way it will be easier for you to detect small changes. Also, remember that fiber intake, exercise, feeding frequency, diarrhea, and surgery or anesthesia can all affect how long your dog might go without pooping. However, in general most dogs shouldn’t go longer than 48 hours.
If you are worried that your furry friend may be constipated, give your veterinarian a call. He or she can help you determine if you should try some sort of a high fiber home remedy, give it a little time, or bring your dog in for an appointment. Hopefully, with a little help from your vet, your dog’s pooping schedule will be back to normal in no time.
Has your dog gone a long time without pooping in the past?
Please comment below
My 4 year old yorkie had a normal bowel movement this morning, then had a bout of diarrhea about 5 hours later. I’m not sure what triggered it as we’re very careful to keep our floors clean and her diet hasn’t changed recently. I boiled some plain chicken breast and cooked up some white rice. I’ve been feeding her small meals of chicken and rice with a pinch of forta flora. No poops yet, but I assume that’s because the diarrhea cleaned her out. She is eating and drinking normally and seems herself. Anything else I should try? Should I call my vet?
Hi Clare,
It sounds like you are doing a great job managing your dog’s diarrhea! I agree that if she hasn’t pooped yet, it is probably just because the diarrhea got rid of a lot of the stool in the intestines. I think the bland diet and probiotics are the perfect place to start. If you want some other ideas, my article, My Dog Has Diarrhea but Is Acting Fine—What Should I Do? can be a great resource. Hopefully she continues to improve, but please reach out to your vet if her symptoms get worse (bloody or black diarrhea, increased frequency of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc) or she continues to have diarrhea for several days. Hope she continues to feel great and the diarrhea goes away soon!
My dog is going to be two in February she’s about 72 pounds. She usually poops twice a day, but she hasn’t pooped since her last walk yesterday afternoon it’s now the next evening and I couldn’t find any poop in our backyard and she didn’t poo on her walk. She’s eaten twice today and is very active. Should I be worried?
Hi Alex,
I think it is great you are paying such close attention to your dog’s behavior and routines. Without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions about her health or well-being. In general, since this has only been going on for 24 hours, if she is still eating, drinking, urinating and acting normally, I wouldn’t think there was much to be worried about. With that being said, you know your girl better than anyone. If you have any lingering concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet for advice. They may want to have you bring her in for an exam just to err on the side of caution. Hoping all is well and praying this will resolve itself quickly. Best wishes to you and your sweet girl.
I’m here of course because my dog hasn’t pooped. He normally poops at least once on every walk, but now it’s been two days of straining and groaning, with nothing coming out. He’s a 100 pound beast, about 10 years old, and I was thinking about giving him a glycerin suppository.
I’ve never been on this site before, and the article was helpful – thanks!
But my main reason for leaving a comment is this … I was so surprised to see real, thoughtful responses to the comments — as recently as two days ago, and on an article that’s nearly two years old! So I wanted to thank you, Dr. Buzby, for being a very kind and genuine human being.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the kind words! I truly appreciate the positive feedback. ♥ I am sorry your big guy is having these new issues with his bowel movements. If it was just a lack of defecating for a day or two, I wouldn’t be so worried, but I don’t like that you mentioned he is straining and groaning. While this could have an easy fix (like adding a bit of pumpkin to his diet for extra fiber), this could also be an early symptom of other more serious conditions. I highly recommend you call your vet and see if they think this warrants an exam. You know your boy better than anyone so always trust your intuition when something feels “off”. Hoping for quick answers and a clear path forward. Best wishes to you and your sweet boy!
My dog was 11 she was not going to poo for few days but drinking plenty of water when I came back from shops today her breathing was not good she was very unresponsive I took her to emergency vet and they said she is in a lot of pain and they would not touch her as of tummy pain she did not no or hear me I took her to vet she passed away they said they would give her pain killers but she is not going to pull through I don’t get how a dog not poo stopped drinking this morning and my dog as sadly gone what was wrong with her fr this to happen
Dear Sharon,
I am sorry for the loss of your pup. I can only imagine how hard it must be when you are left with more questions than answers. Unfortunately, without having personally cared for your girl I can’t make specific conclusions. A lack of bowel movements can be a symptom of SO MANY things and I suspect your girl had something serious going on that just wasn’t showing any other signs. I hope with time the grief will fade and your heart can begin to heal. Praying for peace and wishing you brighter days ahead.
My almost 14 year old Australian Cattle Dog has not had a normal bowel movement since Feb. 2024. The only time he poops is when he barks and it’s only a few nuggets here and there. Another thing that happened at the same time is that he leaks urine continuously. We have him in diapers now. This week I noticed blood in his urine. He’s eating normal and drinking normal. I took him the his Vet. and he said there was nothing he could do and we should just treat him as if he was in hospice. He doesn’t seem to be in pain. When we take him outside and take his diaper off he doesn’t make an effort to either pee or poop he just sits and licks the diapered area the entire time. This is very concerning to us and we can’t believe this still bright eyed dog is not being helped. Is there any hope?
Dear Jackie,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior guy. Without examining him myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions or recommendations. Before you can get information on prognosis you really need a definitive diagnosis. Did your vet check for a urinary tract infection or bladder stones? I would also be suspicious that an enlarged prostate (or prostate cancer) could be contributing to the situation. If your pup has not had any lab work done recently, that would be a good place to start and maybe abdominal x-rays or ultrasound. It is always ok to seek a second opinion if you have unanswered questions or lingering concerns. You can also request a consultation with a specialist if needed. Ultimately, you may be facing a hospice situation like your vet suggested, but make sure you get the information you need to be at peace with whatever decision you make. Praying for answers and a clear path forward. Bless you and your sweet boy.
The first thing that happened, she had brown liquid, chocolate diarrhea. And throwing up three meals. I took her to the vet. They gave her probiotics, and metronidazole. Wednesday night, Thursday night Friday and Saturday. She’s had the right amount of rice with ground beef without the fat. She has not gone for a bowel movement in three days. What do I do?
Hi Kim,
I understand your concern for your pup with these worrisome symptoms. Unfortunately, it is hard to make specific recommendations without playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care. I encourage you to reach out to your vet and make sure they are aware of these ongoing issues. It could be that more testing is needed to get definitive answers and get things back on track. Hoping your girl will start to show improvement very soon. Wishing you both the best of luck.
My dog had diarrhea for a few days straight and now has not pooped in 4 days. He is always a finicky eater, but is barely touching his food or treats. He has hypothyroidism, but was just checked last week and his kidney levels were ok. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jon
Hi Jon,
I understand your concern for your dog with these new worrisome symptoms he is displaying. Was the diarrhea occurring at the time of your dog’s recheck last week? If this all started since the last visit with your vet, I would strongly recommend you contact them and update them on your dog’s current situation. These could be symptoms of several different serious conditions. Without personally examining your boy, it is hard to make specific conclusions. There are just too many possible causes to list them all in this reply. Hoping you can get some answers and restore your pup’s health and well-being. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My dog must of ate something outside. He start pooping pellets. It threw up and it look like leaves. He is still eating but not very much. I walk him and he keeps straining then after a while he throws up the food he ate. He stills has energy to walk but you can tell he isn’t his perky self. I gave him pumpkin, metamucil he threw that up. I order some laxatives that comes tomorrow. But tomorrow makes 5 days. I dont have the money to take him to the vet. He is 6 years a Bully Pitt. Do you have any advice
Dear Halima,
What you are describing has me very concerned. These could be signs of an intestinal blockage or other serious life-threatening condition that needs to be addressed right away. I know you mentioned that finances are limiting your options, but I am not sure there is any way to give your boy the medical attention he needs without taking him to the vet. Hoping you can find a way to ensure your pup receives the care he needs and praying for a positive outcome.
my 10 years old chihuahua-Jack Russell has not been able to poop for four days now and does not want me to touch his belly. The day before this happened, he was able to poop some big chunks of feces and would lick his anus right after. I would also like to add that my dog despises exercise whether it be a small walk between my house and my neighbour’s house so he definitely lacks exercise.
Hi Grace,
The lack of defecation from your dog for over four days has me very concerned, especially since you mentioned his abdomen is painful. I highly recommend you contact your vet right away. This could be a sign of something serious that needs immediate attention. Hoping you can get some answers and move forward with treatment. Praying for a positive outcome for your senior guy.
My pup has not pooped in about 36 hours. He typically poops twice a day. He recently had diarrhea so I had to limit his meals and switch him to a bland diet to relax his tummy. His veterinarian also prescribed Endosorb tablets for him to help stop the diarrhea. He last had 2 of those with his morning meal. I did not give him any of the medication with his dinner. I still cannot get him to poop though. When should I be concerned?
Hi Hannah,
I understand why this situation has you a bit worried. I am not sure there is cause for concern yet, but without examining your pup myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. I think it would be best to call your vet and tell them about this recent change. Since your dog recently had diarrhea, his intestines are likely not very full. And with limiting his meals and feeding bland food there just may not be enough in the GI tract for your pup to need to defecate at this time. Hoping things will quickly start to return to normal. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi, my female dog, Socks, is a 15 and a half year old mixed pit bull. Over the last approximately 6 months she has seemed to begin walking more slowly and carefully, like she’s in pain. Our vet gave us pain medication to give her which always helped tremendously. However in the last couple of weeks we can’t seem to trick her into taking the pills. We used to be able to slip her a half or even a whole pill by hiding it in various forms of foods (piece of sandwich, piece of boiled chicken, chunk of wet dog food, etc.) but now she REFUSES to be fooled by any of that! I even bought a pill crusher but no luck. So now she will eat sliced sandwich meat and boiled chicken but only if there’s no medication in it, which has rendered her back legs almost useless. I have to pick her up to take her outside in the hopes that she will have a bowel movement. But when she’s out there she can’t get around without falling down. She will be sitting down and able to spin around slightly to change her position but she barely lifts herself up enough to pee. I know she hasn’t pooped in a least two days now. Any advice?? We’re SO WORRIED about her!
Hi Peggy,
I am sorry Socks is having these issues with pain and decreased mobility. If the lack of defecation is due to her diet, then adding fiber could be helpful. Pumpkin can be great for this. Here is a link to another article with more information: Canned Pumpkin For Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
But if her problem is due to uncontrolled pain, then that needs to be addressed right away. Please make sure your vet is aware you cannot get your pup to take the pills anymore. There are so many options, there is no need to continue struggling without giving other treatments a try. There is an injection, called Librela, that can be given monthly to treat arthritis pain. There are also medications that come in a liquid form or even flavored chewables. Also, there are many natural treatments for arthritis such as supplements, acupuncture, and laser therapy. I will attach additional links below to articles with great advice on how to deal with arthritis pain. I am certain you will be able to find a way to offer your sweet girl relief and comfort. Wishing you and Socks all the best for many happy days ahead.
1. How to Relieve Arthritis Pain in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
2. Adequan for Dogs: Don’t Just Treat Arthritis, Slow it Down
3. Dog Arthritis Treatment: 8 Ways to Help a Senior Dog at Home
4. Natural Pain Relief for Dogs: 13 Methods
Hi. my dog doesn’t pooping for a few days . she is going out for number 1. she is however every I’ll and lost a lot of weight. she drinks water. in the top of it she doesn’t walk well. bad days I have to carry her on stairs
Hi Mal,
It sounds like your pup is having some issues that may need to be evaluated by your vet. I highly recommend you schedule an appointment to find out what the best next steps would be.
If your your dog has not pooped for 2 days, should you continue to feed regular diet or not feed anything at all
Hi Anne,
This is a great question, but unfortunately the answer is not straight forward. It really depends on why your dog is not having regular bowel movements. The best thing would be to contact your vet and let them evaluate your pup. Once the problem has been identified they will give you specific feeding instructions to help your dog work through the issue.
My 1 1/2 yrs. male dog suffers from constipation for almost a yr, started I think when he is just 8 months old, he did walk for many months because of injury to his left leg when he accidentally fell down from chair that cause him a months not to stand , and when he recovers from it constipation comes, he suffers every time he wants to poop, it’s very hard from him every trying to poop, sometimes came out as much as little soft poop, but this happen after a couple of days, I was trying to give him laxative dulcolax or castor oil, and give milk for him to intake liquids, even he is constipated he did not loose his appetite, he eats regularly and loves to drink milk, but still everytime he tries to poop he cries much for pain, my question is, what is the best medicine should I give to soften the stool to help my dog poop, thus medicine will help him to back form his normal poop again, thank you so much! your response is very much appreciated.
Hi Marissa,
Sorry to hear that your dog is has been struggling with constipation after injuring his leg. Did he have a fractured pelvis or any nerve damage? Both of those things could potentially make it a harder for him to have a bowel movement. If you haven’t already, it would be a good idea to schedule a visit with the vet to ensure that there isn’t an anatomical or neurological reason that he is constipated. Your vet can also determine if he needs to be on regular laxatives, and if so, which ones would be safest for him to take. Additionally, you could consider adding a bit of canned pumpkin (plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling or anything containing xylitol) to his food as that can sometimes help with constipation.
I hope you are able to find some solutions so that he can be more comfortable and have regular bowel movements.
My Peke is 18 years old. I’ve taken her the veterinarian 4 times because she goes several days (as long as 7 days) without pooping. The vet cannot find anything wrong and the last recommendation is miralax. If I give her the recommended amount she gets diahrrea, but less does not help. I have had to give her castor oil and rub her belly to make her go. I believe the vet is not taking the issue seriously enough. Should i change vets for such an old dog?
Hi Maria,
I understand these recurring episodes of constipation in your senior pup are cause for worry. Have you talked to your vet about your concerns? You mentioned they are not taking the issue seriously enough. I am just trying to understand why you feel that way. Are you wanting to investigate the cause further and get a definitive diagnosis? If that is the case, I am sure they would be willing to run some more diagnostic tests or even offer to refer you to a specialist. Have you told them you are unhappy with the results you get with the MiraLAX? I truly think your best course of action is to have an honest conversation with your vet and if that does not resolve your lingering concerns then it is always ok to get a second opinion. Wishing you the best of luck.
My 9lb dog had a bout with ?gastroenteritis/pancreatitis a week ago- full work up to include a 3D xray at Vets office. He did not have diarrhea at all, just nausea and lip licking. We figured that his food may be the culprit so chicken and rice per vet and then transition to another food. We have transitioned to a lightly cooked raw food, called small batch with success these past 3 days, He isn’t pooping much though and when he has gone, it’s pebbles and chunks that look like constipation. I have pumpkin with ginger and tumeric added and have given him 1tsp yesterday. I really do think it is constipation and food transition change because he pooped like a champ before last week.
Tips for help him get it “going”.
Ty,
Hi Cassandra,
I am sorry your little pup has been through so much over the last month. Please make sure your vet is aware of these changes to his defecation habits as they may want to investigate a bit further given your boy recently recovered from pancreatitis. Metamucil could be helpful in getting your dog’s bowel movements back on track. Here is a link to an article with more information: Metamucil for Dogs: Can I Safely Give It to My Dog?
Before adding Metamucil to your dog’s treatment regimen, I would discuss it with your vet. They are aware of all your boy’s medical details and would know if there were any reasons why it should not be used. Hoping things have resolved and all is well. Best wishes to you and your sweet boy.
My dog hasn’t been able to properly poop in three days. The third he’s only pooped little nuggets. He’s been drinking lots of water but sometimes if he drinks too fast he vomits. He’s been laying in his bed for the past few days but I’ve been trying to get him to walk around so that he can have more motility to help with his constipation but he’s still not able to poop and is straining. I don’t know what to do.
Hi Kara,
The symptoms you are describing have me concerned for your dog’s well-being. Without examining him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions or recommendations, but these could be warning signs of something serious. I think it would be best to have your vet evaluate your dog. They may need to run a few tests to get some answers. Hoping your boy is feeling better and on the path to recovery. Best wishes to you both.
Hi mu pup is nearly 2 she was sick yesterday morning just once , I’ve kept her on scrambled egg, fish , she’s eaten that & not been sick but she hasn’t had a poo in 24 hours should I be worried ?
Hi Jill,
I understand your concern for your young pup. Without examining her myself, I can’t say for sure if this is something to be worried about. I am suspicious that her lack of bowel movements is due to the changes to her diet. While scrambled egg and fish is healthy, they do not contain the fiber needed to keep the GI tract moving regularly. Your best bet is to contact your vet and let them know what is happening. If they have any concerns, they will guide you through the next steps of treatment. Best wishes and good luck!
My dog has been constipated going on almost 4 days. He strains to poop but it’s not coming out, you can see it in his rectum. We have squirted water in to try to help as well as a suppository but so far that’s only gotten a tiny bit out that was liquefied when doing those steps. I’m thinking I may need to take him in tomorrow as it’s now 830 at night. Any other recommendations?
Hi Nichole,
I am sorry you had to deal with this worrisome and frustrating situation. Unfortunately, this is not something that could be handled at home without veterinary intervention. I hope you were able to get your pup the medical care he needed. Praying all is well and your sweet boy is living his best life.
My lab retriever has a bulge by his bum he was constipated and looks like he’s having trouble pooping we gave him pumpkin and that seems to help
Hes 14 years old and hates car rides island I’m a 75?year old woman who can’t lift him in the car
If u could help me I would appreciate
Hi Pauline,
The issue you describe with your Lab does sound concerning. Unfortunately, without examining him myself, I can’t make specific conclusions and recommendations. This bulge could be due to many different things. You really need a diagnosis in order to find the appropriate treatment. I am suspicious this could be a sign of an impacted anal gland, but also cannot rule out something more serious such as cancer. Please reach out to your vet and discuss these concerns. They may be able to make a house call or know another vet in the area that offers those types of services. Praying you find the help you need to ensure your sweet boy is happy and healthy. Wishing you both the best.
These bits on a dog’s” pooping” has been enlighting. Vets usually don’t cover as much with you.
Hi Barb,
I am glad you found the article to be informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Hi, I have put in a call to our veterinary hospital, but just for the record…
Our 16 yr. old JRT-X had a few bouts of GI distress (Giardia 2 yrs. ago, pancreatitis last year). A week ago, she had intractable vomiting overnight, followed next day by watery, reddish stool. The emergency DVM had administered Rx Cerenia and sub-Q fluids. We returned next day for tests. I brought in a sample of that reddish, liquid fecal matter, which came up negative for parasites. Her blood-work, urinalysis, and abdominal sonogram only indicated inflammation in the lining of her GI tract, but no apparent blockages, or anything else alarming–even her kidneys looked pretty good for her age!
Slowly, over the next 5 days, she’s started to pick out some chicken pieces out of the boiled white rice we offer (she won’t eat that at all, nor the Hill’s S.D. k/d, nor i/d), and will only take tiny amounts of peanut butter, banana, some dog treats.
By now, she has not had a BM in 6 days, although she seems to feel comfortable, drinks water, has some energy (we’re taking her on short walks), and isn’t trying or straining to defecate.
So, if I didn’t know for certain that she’s not been pooping, I’d think she was a lot better.
We’re now waiting to hear back from the veterinarian on call.
Hi Deborah,
I am sorry your pup has had so many GI issues lately! It sounds like your veterinary team is working hard to get her back on track. I am a bit suspicious that your dog’s lack of bowel movements is probably due to the small amount of food she has been eating. If there isn’t much going in, there isn’t much that needs to come out. I am glad you contacted your vet. What did you find out? Hoping all is well today and your sweet girl is feeling much better. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.